U.S. patent number 6,462,937 [Application Number 09/668,416] was granted by the patent office on 2002-10-08 for computer having an integrated gaming control pad.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Dell Products L.P.. Invention is credited to Reynold L. Liao, Jefferson Wirtz.
United States Patent |
6,462,937 |
Liao , et al. |
October 8, 2002 |
Computer having an integrated gaming control pad
Abstract
A computer includes a base having an exterior surface. A
keyboard includes input components mounted on a portion of the
exterior surface. A palm rest area is adjacent the keyboard. At
least one palm rest component is detachably mounted in the palm
rest area. Auxiliary input components are mounted in the palm rest
area adjacent the palm rest component.
Inventors: |
Liao; Reynold L. (Austin,
TX), Wirtz; Jefferson (Round Rock, TX) |
Assignee: |
Dell Products L.P. (Round Rock,
TX)
|
Family
ID: |
24682220 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/668,416 |
Filed: |
September 22, 2000 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
361/679.09;
248/111; 400/693; 361/679.08; 361/679.17 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F
13/08 (20130101); G06F 1/1616 (20130101); A63F
13/24 (20140902); G06F 1/1671 (20130101); G06F
1/169 (20130101); G06F 3/0202 (20130101); G06F
1/1656 (20130101); A63F 2300/1043 (20130101); A63F
2300/204 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63F
13/08 (20060101); G06F 3/02 (20060101); G06F
1/16 (20060101); G06F 001/16 (); H05K 007/12 ();
B68G 005/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;361/683,679,680
;248/118,118.1,118.3,918,631 ;400/715,691,693 ;379/433,437,440 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Schuberg; Darren
Assistant Examiner: Lea-Edmonds; Lisa
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Haynes and Boone, LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A computer comprising: a base having an exterior surface; a
keyboard including input components mounted on a portion of the
exterior surface; a palm rest area adjacent the keyboard; at least
one palm rest component detachably mounted in the palm rest area;
and a plurality of auxiliary input components mounted in the palm
rest area adjacent the palm rest component.
2. The computer as defined in claim 1 wherein the palm rest area is
recessed into the exterior surface.
3. The computer as defined in claim 2 wherein the recessed palm
rest area includes a recessed surface.
4. The computer as defined in claim 3 wherein the auxiliary input
components are mounted in the recessed surface.
5. The computer as defined in claim 4 wherein the palm rest
component is seated in the recessed palm rest area and conceals the
auxiliary input components.
6. The computer as defined in claim 1 wherein the exterior surface
is formed of a first material and the palm rest component is formed
of a second material different from the first material.
7. The computer as defined in claim 1 wherein the exterior surface
is formed of a first material having a first color, and the palm
rest component is formed of a second material different from the
first material, and having a second color different from the first
color.
8. The computer as defined in claim 1 wherein the exterior surface
is formed of a first material having a first texture, and the palm
rest component is formed of a second material different from the
first material, and having a second texture different from the
first texture.
9. The computer as defined in claim 1 wherein the palm rest area
includes a pair of separated palm rest areas each including a
recessed surface.
10. The computer as defined in claim 9 wherein each recessed
surface includes auxiliary input components.
11. The computer as defined in claim 10 wherein a palm rest
component is seated in each recessed palm rest area and conceals
the auxiliary input components.
12. The computer as defined in claim 3 wherein the palm rest
component is seated in the recessed palm rest area.
13. The computer as defined in claim 12 wherein the palm rest
component includes a first surface and a second surface opposite
the first surface.
14. The computer as defined in claim 13 wherein the auxiliary input
components are mounted in one of the first and second surfaces, and
a textured palm rest is formed on the other of the first and second
surfaces, whereby the palm rest component is reversibly mounted in
the recessed palm rest area to alternately expose one of the first
and second surfaces.
15. A computer system comprising: a chassis having an exterior
surface; a microprocessor mounted in the chassis; a storage coupled
to the microprocessor; a video controller coupled to the
microprocessor; a memory coupled to provide storage to facilitate
execution of computer programs by the microprocessor; a keyboard
including input components mounted on a portion of the exterior
surface; a palm rest area adjacent the keyboard; at least one palm
rest component detachably mounted in the palm rest area; and a
plurality of auxiliary input components mounted in the palm rest
area adjacent the palm rest component.
16. The computer system as defined in claim 15 wherein the
auxiliary input components are mounted on one side of the palm rest
component, and a textured palm rest is formed on another side of
the palm rest component, opposite the one side.
17. The computer system as defined in claim 15 wherein the palm
rest component is seated in the palm rest area and conceals the
auxiliary input components.
18. A customer configured portable computer comprising: a base
having an exterior surface; a keyboard including input components
mounted on a portion of the exterior surface; a palm rest area
adjacent the keyboard; at least one customer configured palm rest
component detachably mounted in the palm rest area; and a plurality
of customer configured auxiliary input components mounted in the
palm rest area adjacent the palm rest component.
19. The computer system as defined in claim 18 wherein the
auxiliary input components are mounted on one side of the palm rest
component, and the textured palm rest is formed on another side of
the palm rest component, opposite the one side.
20. The computer system as defined in claim 18 wherein the palm
rest component is seated in the palm rest area and conceals the
auxiliary input components.
21. A method of providing game controls for a portable computer
comprising: forming a base having an exterior surface; mounting a
keyboard on a portion of the exterior surface, the keyboard
including input components; providing a palm rest area adjacent the
keyboard; detachably mounting at least one palm rest component in
the palm rest area; and mounting auxiliary input components in the
palm rest area adjacent the palm rest component.
Description
BACKGROUND
The disclosures herein relate generally to computer systems and
more particularly to a control pad provided in a palm rest.
Many users of portable computers use their computers for electronic
gaming. However, use of the portable computer for electronic gaming
requires auxiliary controls which must be interfaced with the
computer. Thus, when travelling, for example, the auxiliary
controls must be carried along as added baggage. This takes up
space and can pose added inconvenience for users due to the added
baggage and the added connect/disconnect time.
Some electronic games can be enjoyed by enabling existing keyboard
controls. This is not ideal because of ergonomic and functional
issues. Another attempt to overcome the limitations mentioned above
was to miniaturize the game pads. However, even when miniaturized,
they are external items which must be carried and managed by the
user.
Various keyboard/palm pad arrangements have been proposed in the
past to assist in user convenience. However, none of the known
devices address the specific limitations noted above.
For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,522,572, a support apparatus has
dual, or left and right, palm rests. The apparatus is positionable
to support an item like a keyboard in various inclined positions.
The dual palm rests are mounted separately on a common carriage
that slides in a plane back and forth relative to a front edge of
an item on the apparatus. The manner of mounting the palm rests
permits each palm rest to swivel about a generally vertical swivel
axis and, additionally, move about a hinge axis that extends in a
plane generally perpendicular to the associated swivel axis. The
palm rests are connected to sets of torsion springs or the like to
normally bias the palm rests about both the swivel axes and the
hinge axes for clamping.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,547,154, discloses a wrist rest assembly for use
along the front edge of a device to be operated by a person's hands
or fingers, such as in front of a computer keyboard, including an
elongated base assembly on which is supported an elongated pad. The
base assembly has a top portion supporting the pad, a bottom
portion adapted to be supported on a horizontal surface, and
structure that allows the top portion to be supported on the bottom
portion with the top surface of the pad at two different distances
above that horizontal surface by switching ends of the top portion
with respect to the ends of the bottom portion.
Therefore, what is needed is to provide fully functioning auxiliary
controls into the existing portable computer in a manner which does
not require additional controls to be carried and or stored
separately from the portable computer.
SUMMARY
One embodiment, accordingly, provides auxiliary controls to
supplement the keyboard controls. To this end, a computer includes
a base having an exterior surface. A keyboard includes input
components mounted on a portion of the exterior surface. A palm
rest area is provided adjacent the keyboard. A palm rest component
is detachably mounted in the palm rest area. Auxiliary input
components are mounted in the palm rest area adjacent the palm rest
component.
A principal advantage of this embodiment is that the auxiliary
input components are integrated into the existing computer so that
additional or separate controls do not have to be carried and/or
stored separately from the computer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating an embodiment of a
computer system.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a
portable laptop computer having a lid in a closed position.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a
portable laptop computer having the lid in an open position.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a
portable laptop computer having input components provided in a
recessed surface.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a
portable laptop computer having input components provided in the
palmrest components.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the computer of FIG. 4,
having palmrest components mounted on the recessed surface.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the computer of FIG. 5,
having the palmrest components mounted on the recessed surface so
that the input components are exposed.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the computer of FIG. 7,
having the palmrest components mounted on the recessed surface so
that the input components are inverted.
FIGS. 9-12 are perspective views of embodiments of palmrest
components of different colors, textures and materials.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In one embodiment, computer system 10, FIG. 1, includes a
microprocessor 12, which is connected to a bus 14. Bus 14 serves as
a connection between microprocessor 12 and other components of
computer system 10. An input system 16 is coupled to microprocessor
12 to provide input to microprocessor 12. Examples of input devices
include keyboards, touchscreens, and pointing devices such as
mouses, trackballs and trackpads. Programs and data are stored on a
mass storage device 18, which is coupled to microprocessor 12. Mass
storage devices include such devices as hard disks, optical disks,
magneto-optical drives, floppy drives and the like. Computer system
10 further includes a display 20, which is coupled to
microprocessor 12 by a video controller 22. A system memory 24 is
coupled to microprocessor 12 to provide the microprocessor with
fast storage to facilitate execution of computer programs by
microprocessor 12. It should be understood that other busses and
intermediate circuits can be deployed between the components
described above and microprocessor 12 to facilitate interconnection
between the components and the microprocessor.
Referring to FIG. 2, illustrated is a portable, notebook size
computer designated 26 comprising a self-contained system, such as
that illustrated at 10 in FIG. 1, and including a hinged top or lid
28 rotable about a hinge or hinges 30 from a nested position, "N,"
with a horizontal chassis base 32, to a substantially vertical or
open position "V," FIG. 3. Opening of the notebook style portable
computer by manipulation of a latch 34, reveals a plurality of
input components such as a keyboard of keys 36 on base 32, and a
monitor screen 38 mounted in lid or top 28. Base 32 includes a palm
or wrist rest area 40 including an input area 42 of the input
system 16 positioned above a battery housing 44 and adjacent keys
36. Base 32 includes an exterior surface 50. The keyboard keys 36
and also the adjacent palmrest area 40 are provided on the exterior
surface 50.
In one embodiment, FIG. 4, at least one, and preferably two
palmrest components 52 are detachably mounted in the palmrest area
40. A plurality of auxiliary input components 54 are mounted in the
palmrest area 40 adjacent the palmrest components 52. The palmrest
area 40 is recessed into the exterior surface 50. The recessed
palmrest area 40 includes a recessed surface 56 and the auxiliary
input components 54 are mounted in the recessed surface 56. The
palmrest components 52 are provided to be seated in the recessed
surface 56, and conceal the auxiliary input components 54.
Components 52 may be reversible.
In another embodiment, FIG. 5, a pair of palmrest components 152
are provided to be seated in a pair of corresponding recessed
palmrest areas 140. Each palmrest component 152 includes a first
surface 160, and a second surface 162, opposite the first surface
160. A plurality of auxiliary input components 154 are mounted in
one of the first and second surfaces 160, 162, respectively. In
this manner, the palmrest components 152 are reversibly mounted in
the palmrest areas 140 to alternately expose one of the respective
first and second surfaces 160, 162.
In the embodiment of FIG. 4, where the auxiliary input components
54 are mounted in the recessed surface 56, the palmrest components
52 are seated in the recessed palmrest area 40, FIG. 6, so as to
conceal the auxiliary input components 54 when the components 54
are not in use.
In the embodiment of FIG. 5, where each palmrest component 152 has
a first surface 160 which includes the auxiliary input components
154, the palmrest components 152 can be seated in the recessed
palmrest area 140, FIG. 7, so that the first surface 160 of the
auxiliary input components 154 is exposed in an upright position.
Alternately, when the auxiliary input components 154 are not in
use, the palmrest components 152 can be reversibly seated in the
recessed palmrest areas 140, FIG. 8, so that the second surface 162
is exposed in an upright position and the first surface is 160 is
inverted and seated in the recessed palmrest area 140.
The exterior surface 50 of the computer 10 is formed of a plastic
or metal material of a certain commercial color and texture, such
as black, gray or charcoal. The palmrest components 52, 152 may be
formed of the same material and color as the exterior surface 50,
but are preferably formed of a different material having a more
ergonomically pleasing texture, i.e. foam, gel filled, rubber,
leather, vinyl, etc. and a more aesthetically pleasing color. The
aspects of color and texture may be customer configured by customer
specified order. Also, the auxiliary input components 154 may be
customer configured as well.
Furthermore, each palmrest component 52, FIGS. 9 and 10, may be of
a first material, color, texture on a first side 60, and may be of
a second material, color, texture on a second opposite side 62.
Also, each palmrest component 152, FIGS. 11 and 12, may be of a
first material, color, texture on the first side 160, and may be of
a second material, color, texture on the second opposite side
162.
For example, component 52, FIG. 9, may be foam filled including
side 60 covered in a red vinyl, and side 62 of component 52, FIG.
10, may be covered in a blue vinyl. Side 160 of component 152, FIG.
11, may be a gray plastic or coated metal, whereas side 162 of
component 152, FIG. 12, may be a brown leather.
As can be seen, the principal advantages of these embodiments are
that the auxiliary input components are integrated into the
existing computer so that additional or separate controls do not
have to be carried and/or stored separately from the computer. The
portable computer includes a fully functional integrated game pad
in the palm rest. The game pad can either be permanently built into
the palm rest or can be made to be removable. When the user wants
to play a game on the portable computer, the game pad is used
instead of the keyboard. This provides a more compact carrying
package, and offers an ergonomic enhancement over gaming through
the keyboard.
Although illustrative embodiments have been shown and described, a
wide range of modification, change and substitution is contemplated
in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances, some features of
the embodiment may be employed without a corresponding use of other
features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims
be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of
the embodiments disclosed herein.
* * * * *